The goal of an objective statement

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Should I use an objective on my resume? Is an objective out dated? How would an objective work for me? What are the best uses of an objective? These questions are tackled by expert career strategist, Stacey Gordon. Learn about the goal of an objective statement, and it can enhance your resume, in this video.

- Does your current resume have an objective?If not, why did you decide not to use one?It's true, resumes can be very subjective, but thedebate about whether to include an objectiveon a resume or not is important to discuss.While there's a strong argument to be madethat objectives are a thing of the past,an objective can have value if done correctly.Because resumes are so customizableit's important to consider the targetof your resume before you create it.

If you are changing careers or early in yourcareer with little to no experience,an objective can help to focus the readerand gain a better understanding of whyyou are applying for this particular job.You may also hear that no one reads an objective.Well here's a funny thing about that.If you write it, expect someone to read it.When working as a recruiter, I wouldalways read an objective.Why?Because I would hope that person was goingto use it to tell me why they applied to the job.

If they did, I would get the feeling of,yes, I'm going to keep reading becausethis person may have what I need.If they didn't, I might stop reading right there.In the exercise files, I've included threeexamples of objectives from actualresumes I've received in the past.I didn't edit them in any way so let's take a look.Starting with the first example, which reads"To obtain a consultant position that promotes growth"in an environment that I can contribute my safety"management and leadership skills and continue"to develop experience in a professional community."Example two: "Implement or improve standard"operating procedures, timekeeping systems," workplace organization, company policy,"hazard analysis and critical control point"guidelines, goals, safety training,"expectations, and effective team building.

"By reaching these objectives, we can be proactive,"accurate, and increase productivity in operations."And example three: "A proven leader in the safety"and health industries, safety driven, and goal"oriented, I am seeking a challenging opportunity"to manage and lead large projects where my"advanced skills, education, extensive training,"and many years of experience can be fully utilized."Now my question to you is, which of thesethree objectives would you use?Do they get the point across?Let's go one example at a time.

Example 1 is the traditional understandingof an objective: define the role you want toapply to and add a few notes about your skills.Pretty simple.Example 2 is an example of a bad objective.This person doesn't truly understand the pointof an objective is to focus the reader and tellthem why you applied to the job.He gives information that really belongsin a summary of qualifications,which we'll discuss in another video.And then he ends with a sentence that tells thereader he has no idea what an objective is for.

It was also really difficult to read.Example 3 begins with information that maybe more applicable to a summary ofqualifications but it does something important.It provides the reader with parameters forwhat this person is seeking withoutpigeonholing him into one role.It might be a little too vague for some peoplebut it mentions the things that he wantsthe reader to focus on: his advancedskills, training, and experience.

It tells the reader he's seeking a management roleso it also helps prevent him from being called foropportunities where he won't have the ability to manage.No time wasting here.An objective works well for those who are makinga career change or who don't have as much workexperience because you are giving the readersome direction; however, if you have manyyears of experience, a summary of qualificationswill work best for you.Are you reconsidering using an objective orare you now confident in your current choice?

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Finding a great job starts with writing a great resume, one that speaks to your personal and professional strengths. Learn how to write a resume that stands out and makes employers take notice.

Stacey A. Gordon, cofounder of Career Incubator, has made it her life's work to help others find the jobs and build the careers of their dreams. In this course, she walks through the basics of resume writing for job seekers, as well as a few extra job search basics such as following up, sending thank-you notes, and identifying companies to work for and determining fit.

Stacey explains what you should include on your resume, what to exclude, and how to craft your resume to showcase your talents and best qualities. Using practical resume examples, Stacey walks through choosing the right resume format, tailoring the information to match job requirements, and writing alternative resumes that include industry-specific information. Last, Stacey shows you how to deal with some common sore spots—like job hopping, lack of experience, or large unemployment gaps—while concentrating on your experience.